Sometimes destiny surprises and shocks us with her different plans. One has not even the faintest idea of what lies in the future. Extraordinarily talented artist Gauri Dhume too was unaware of what her destiny held. When she conceptualised her first exhibition of paintings and decided to hold it on December 20-22 in 2018, little did she know that she wouldn't live to complete her dream. What came later was a testament to her dedication and willpower. Her will was much stronger than her body which succumbed to death, leaving the task of realising her incomplete dream to her friends who enthusiastically took up the challenge.
A Goan, based in Mumbai, Gauri was a fine art specialist who stayed away from colours and canvas for over 25 years due to many reasons, mostly home and family. Her reunion with art was brought about by the reunion of her college-mates in 2015 and she (re)turned to art, churning out numerous paintings on diverse themes and myriad topics - ranging from still life to forms of worship to nature, cosmos and the universe. Taking up the odd challenges that life threw at her, yet not letting difficult situations dampen her spirits. Not too long ago, a pious Gauri persuaded herself to pursue her passion for art, charity and spirituality.
"A graduate of Goa College of Fine Arts, Gauri was in touch with some of us, though after marriage she settled in Mumbai. For 25 years, she did not touch paint brush or canvas. Then, in 2015, we planned a reunion of our batch and it was Gauri who brough 25 of us together. But the real credit for awakening the sleeping artist in Gauri goes to Manoj Patil, her old school buddy from People's High School (Panaji)," recalls Dipti Sardessai, her batch mate.
"Manoj coaxed her into taking up painting again, thinking it will ease her frustration of not being able to give time to art, and he succeeded. Realising that she should do justice to the artist within her, Gauri took his advice seriously and began painting in 2016. Then she increased her pace, declaring that she would exhibit her artwork in Goa the following year" remembers Dipti.
The reunion with fine art colleagues proved to be the wind in her wings and with a new energy and vigour, Gauri took to painting, wishing to exhibit her work at Kala Academy. It was in May 2017 that she booked a three-day slot in December for her show. She wanted to paint for a cause - charity. During the months leading up to the exhibition, she wished to complete as many paintings as possible for the event. Soaking her soul in colours, she strove hard to ready her artwork. Finally, what appeared on her canvasses were 50 vivid themes that translated her dreams, aspirations and emotions into wonderful works of art.
Speaking on her art, artist and art critic Naguesh Rao Sardessai observes, "Constantly painting and improving her skills, Gauri worked with multiple media and themes. She had done a series on Lord Ganesh, flowers, still-life, landscape, musical notes etc. Not confined to any ‘isms' or stylistic forms, she had explored the creative terrain as a vagabond in search of aesthetic appeal."
Gauri was fond of bright colours, basically primary colours, which mirrored her personality - lively, vibrant and active with loads of optimism. She almost completed the set of paintings, leaving only two of them incomplete. However, unfortunately, Gauri did not live to see her work being exhibited on the walls of Kala Academy art gallery - as she succumbed to a fatal infection to her brain on October 30 that took toll of her life at the age of 50. However, in her absence, her friends Manoj Patil, Dipti Sardessai, Naguesh Rao Sardessai, Indira Pai Angle, Sushant Tari, Suzette Martins, and Harsha Mandurkar made sure that not only her dream of exhibiting her art was fulfilled, but also her wish to give away its proceedings to support differently abled kids was realised.
"Gauri's unexpected exit on October 30 left us in shock and dismay but we told ourselves, the show must go on. So, as scheduled on Dec 20, Aalekh - an exhibition of 50 paintings by Gauri Dhume - was inaugurated at the hands of veteran artist and former principal of Goa College of Arts, Padma Shree Laxman Pai whose student she was" shares Dipti. The current president of Goa College of Arts, Mahesh Vengurlekar who was also present on the occasion recalled how Gauri was instrumental in bringing together the ex-students of his college for a reunion in 2015.
Gauri's uncle, veteran journalist Vinayak Naik, editor-in-chief of the monthly magazine, ‘Goa Today' elaborated the string of incidents that led to the grand finale and how he himself became a part of the whole process. "It was in September 2017 that Gauri called me. Her phone call revived our dormant relationship. She wanted to exhibit her artwork in Goa and I said she must do so" quips Naik, adding, "But she suddenly took ill and unfortunately, never woke up from her deep slumber."
Gauri's husband Prashant Dhume admits that she stood for courage, resilience, pursuance and passion. "One thing makes me happy in this sad situation, that ultimately, Gauri's dream is fulfilled. Her passion for painting was at its peak during the few months preceding her exhibition and she kept herself busy with her art," recalls Prashant. Another relative, Rajas Sirvaikar, who knew Gauri for the past 29 years, feels sad that it turned out to be Gauri's first and last exhibition - "She was under tremendous pressure, but the get-together with old school and college pals gave her impetus to create these paintings."
The response from viewers to this exhibition of 50 paintings was overwhelming. Her family and friends got a pleasant surprise as they witnessed that all of Gauri's paintings were sold out. All the proceeds, as she desired, went to a noble cause. As Gauri's own child had autism, she was deeply familiar with the issues faced by special children and was closely associated with various organisations that took up their cause. She lived for a reason and died for a cause. Today, even though she is no more with us, her passion and compassion will live long through her paintings and dwell in the hearts of art admirers and critics.
